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hlZZlE E. " KEHR 




Class F>5 1 5^ 
Book Jl_€ 



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COF^RSGHT DEPOSST. 



PRACTICAL LESSONS 



IN 



Parliamentary Law, 



LIZZIE E. KEHR. 
It 



Kansas City, Mo. : 
HUDSON-KIMBERLY PUB. CO. 

1900. 



.. I 



61523 



Library of Congress 

Two Copies Received 
OCT 15 190U 

Copyright entry 

FIRST mn.. 

2nd Cep^f Dislivered^ lxt> 

ORDER DliV-i&iwri- 
ML_30J50U 






Copyrighted 1900, by 

HUDSON-KlMBERLY PuB. CO.| 

Kansas City, mo. 



CONTENTS. 

I'age. 

Introduction 5 

Preface 7 

Chapter I. 

The Constitution 9 

By-I/aws 10 

Chapter II. 

Order of Business 15 

Meetings 16 

Chapter III. 

Duties of Officers 19 

Chairman .^ 19 

Secretary v. 20 

OtherOfficers 23 

Chapter IV. 

Mass Meeting. 25 

Permanent Society 25 

Adoption of Constitution 26 

Chapter V. 

Introduction of Business 29 

Chapter VI. 

Debate and Decorum 3$ 

Chapter VII. 

Classification of Motions 37 

Rank of Motions 88 

Explanation of Chart 89 

Chapter VIII. 

Subsidiary Motions , 41 

Motions Which Defeat 41 

Amendments ... 42 

Motions Which Delaj- 46 

Chapter IX. 

Privileged Motions 49 

Questions of Privilege 49 

To Take a Recess 49 

To Adjourn 50 

Chapter X. 

Incidental Motions 50 

Points of Order 50 

Appeals 52 

Reading of Papers 53 

Withdrawal of Motion 53 

To Close Nominations 58 

Division of a Question 54 

Methods of Consideration 54 

Suspension of Rules 54 

Chapter XI. 

To Reconsider 57 

To Repeal 58 

Chapter XII. 

The Committee and Its Report 61 

Minority Report 63 

Chapter XIII. 

Nominations 67 

Voting 67 

Chapter XIV. 

Delegated Conven'tS.on , 7 



INDKX. 

Page. 

Acclamation 69 

Adjourn 50 

Motion to fix time to which to adjourn (see Chart) 38 

Sine die 74 

Adjournment: — 

By the Chair 50 

Kffect on unfinished business 50 

Amendments: — 

Primary 42 

Secondary ' . . 42 

Three forms 42 

Negative 43 

Relevancy of 42, 43 

Acceptance by mover 43 

Give notice of 

Substitute as equivalent 43 

How voted on 44 

To Constitution 44 

Motions that cannot be amended (see Chart) 38 

A-ppeals: — 

Must be seconded i^2 

Form of question on 52 

When in order, 52 

When debatable 52 

Tie vote on , 52 

Reconsideration of 52 

Principles of _. 52, 53 

Business, order of 15, 16 

Introduction of 29, 30 

Unfinished 50 

By-t,aws 10, 11 

What should contain 10, 11 

Adoption of 26 

Amendment of 11 

Suspension of 11 

Call for Special Meeting 16 

Casting Vote 69 

Chart, Rank of Motions 38 

Committees 61 

Appointment by Chair 44, 45 

Nominated from floor 45 

Committee of the whole - 61 

Dut}' of Chairman 61 

Kinds of 61 

Quorum 61 

Report of 61 

Forms of 63 

Received by assembly 62 

Minority report 63 

Moved as substitute 63 

Constitution 9 

Essentials belonging 10 

Amendments lO 

Convention, Delegated 73 

Debate and Decorum 33 



Fage. 

Courtesy in 33 

Special restriction 33 

Preceded by motion 33 

Personality 34 

Yielding floor 34 

Debatable Motions 38 

Delegates 73 

Dilatory Motions 44 

Division of a Motion 54 

Division of Assembly 6S 

Duties of Officers 19 

Election of Ofi&cers 67, 68 

Expunge 23 

Extend lyimits of Debate . 54 

Filling Blanks 58 

Fix Time to Which to A.djourn (see Chart) — 38 

Floor, How to Obtain 29 

General Consent 69 

Illegal Votes 68 

Incidental Motions 37, 50 

Incomplete Motions 58 

Indefinite Postponement 41 

Journal (see Minutes) . . 21 

lyimit Debate 33-54 

Majority 68 

Mam Motion 37 

Mass Meeting 25 

Meetings 16 

Members, Duties of 23 

Methods of Consideration 54 

Minority Report 68 

Minutes 21 

How entered 21 

Contents .21-22 

.Correction of 43 

Adoption 22 

Motions, lyist of 

Adjourn .... 50 

Adopt, accept, approve report 53 

Amend 42 

Close or limit 54 

Commit 44 

Divide the motion 54 

Indefinitely postpone 41 

Objection to consideration 41 

Order, points of 50 

Orders, special 50 

Postpone to a certain time 45 

Previous question 46 

Questions of privilege 49 

Reading of papers 53 

Reconsider 57 

Refer to a committee 44 

Repeal, rescind 58 

Suspension of rules 54 

To table 46 

To take from table 46 

To take a recess 49 



Page. 

To close nominations 53 

Withdrawal of a motion 53 

Nominations 67 

Negative Amendment 43 

Objection to Consideration 41 

Officers, Duties of 19-23 

Orders of the Day 51 

Organization .... 25-27 

Papers and Documents 22 

Parliamentary I,aw 5 

Plurality 69 

Previous Question 46 

Privileged Motions 49 

Putting the Question 30 

Questions of^Privilege 49 

Quorum 22-69 

Rank of Motions 38 

Reading of Papers 53 

Recess 49 

Reconsideration 57 

Object L -. 57 

Moved by whom 57 

When in order 57 

When debatable 57 

Suspensive effect 57 

Motions which cannot be reconsidered 58 

Record 22 

Renewal of Motion to Adjourn . . 50 

Resolution 37 

Report of Committee 61 

Report of Nominating Committee 67 

Seconding Motions 29 

Secretary 20 

Session 17 

Silent Assent 67 

Special Order 16 

Standing Rules 11-12 

vSubstitute 42 

Suspension of Constitution and By I,aws 54 

Tabling 46 

Tabling Amendment 46 

Temporary Organization 25 

Tie Vote 69 

Undebatable Motions 38 

Unanimous Consent 68 

Unfinished Business 50 

Urgent Business 50 

Voting 67 

Announcing votes .... 67 

By voice 68 

Showing hands 68 

Yeas and nays 68 

Ballot 68 

Casting vote 68 

Secretary cast ballot 68 

Withdrawing of Motion 53 

Yielding the Floor 34 



INTRODUCTION 



ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT. 

Parliammentary law is a system of control--" 
ling usages in the government of deliberative ' 
bodies which had their origin in the Parlia-- 
ment of England. They are not a succession' 
of arbitrary rules and purposeless forms, but 
are founded upon the common experience of 
mankind and upon the application of the prin- 
ciples of equality and justice. Every deliber- 
ative body, however, is a law unto itself and 
has supreme authority over its own rules of 
action. Charters, rules of Congress andLegis- 
latures-rin fact, of all deliberative bodies, are 
voluntary concessions for the protection of 
the minorities. Majorities are always in a 
position to look out for their own interests. 

While Mr. Jefferson was presiding officer of 
the Senate he prepared a treatise on parlia- 
mentary law, aiming to reconcile precedents 
with reason and principles. Previous to this 
time parliamentary law was mostly a mass of 
English precedents, which were followed more 
because they were such than because they 
were examples of suitable methods of dis- 
patching business. 

These innovations from English customs 



have been brought about with very little fric- 
tion, as we do not have the reverence which 
the English have for precedents, and are al- 
ways in favor of changes when they are con- 
sidered an improvement. In this day the dif- 
ference between English and American parli- 
amentary law is so great that it would be 
almost impossible for a person versed in our 
parliamentary usages only to understand the 
proceedings of the House of Commons. 

Wherever there is an assembly there is need 
of a knowledge of parliamentary law, so that 
business may proceed expeditiously and in ac- 
cord with the sense of the assembly. 

Americans have obtained their knowledge 
of parliamentary forms from the usages of our 
deliberative bodies, especially that of the 
House of Representatives, which governs the 
practice upon most great questions and forms 
the basis of our common parliamentary law. 



PREFACE. 

This is an age' of concentration of forces 
through organization. A thorough and prac- 
tical understanding of parliamentary law is a 
necessity by which organization may be prop- 
erly produced and effectually operated. 

A knowledge of this science develops a per- 
son practically and ethically. It compels at- 
tention to detail, causes quick and logical 
thinking, concentration, and self-confidence. 
It broadens the sense of justice and imparts 
an increased respect for the rights of others. 

During the last decade the woman's club 
movement has spread with such rapidity that 
women have found themselves occupying posi- 
tions of honor as leaders who had not been 
trained to properly fill such places. This sit- 
uation has brought about a wave of parlia- 
mentary reform, and women from one end of 
the country to the other are doing their best 
to master the subject and to become capable 
presiding officers as well as efficient workers 
in the body. 

One of the results of the general interest in 
this subject is the increased enthusiasm for 
this study among high school and college 
societies. 

This manual has been prepared at the earn- 
est request of pupils of the writer, and is the 



result of careful preparation for the lectures 
and drills; after repeated experiments in the 
method of presentation, the plan outlined in 
this book has been found to produce the best 
results in the shortest time. No reference is 
given to parliamentary rules or practices of 
legislative bodies, but our. aim is to make 
plain general principles governing parlia- 
mentary law, which, when thoroughly under- 
stood, will render the student capable of easily 
mastering the special rules of any deliberative 
body. 



GMpter K 

THE CONSTITUTION.. 

The word "constitution," as employed in 
the United States, implies a written instru- 
ment. In England the word is used to define 
an organization or system of government 
made up of charters, as the Magna Charta, 
the general Acts of Parliament, and a collec- 
tion of long-established legal usages. These 
are not compiled in a single instrument as in 
this country, but are to be found in many dif- 
ferent places. According to the American 
idea, the constitution proceeds from the peo- 
ple in the exercise of their natural right of 
self-government, and can be superseded or 
amended only by them. 

A constitution is the supreme law. It is an 
outline or frame, and should be expressed 
in general and comprehensive terms. There 
should be no attempt to particularize, or the 
constitution will not adapt itself to expansion. 
It should embrace all large and permanent 
matters necessary to the safety and dignity of 
the society, leaving details to the by-laws. As 
the constitution contains nothing but what is 
fundamental, it should be made very difficult 
to amend. Previous notice in writing of the 
amendment should be required, and, where 



10 Practical Lessons in 

meetings are frequent, an amendment should 
not be allowed more often than semi-annually 
or annually. 

The following essentials belong to the con- 
stitution: 

Name and object of the society. 

Qualification of members. 

Officers, Inethod of election. 

Meetings, regular and special. 

Quorum and provisions for amendment. 

A constitution should not be violated even 
by unanimous consent. Should it and the by- 
laws conflict, the latter yields. 

An incorporated body is governed by the 
State law, to which it must conform. Any- 
thing may be put into its by-laws which does 
not conflict with the superior laws of the 
State. 

THE BY-LAWS. 

The by-laws are the rules of a corporation, 
legislature, or society, made for the regulation 
of its internal organization, and distinguished 
from the constitution in treating of details 
and in being more easily amended. The by- 
laws of an ordinary society should contain the 
following points: 

Duties of oflicers, especially the unusual 
ones. 

The manner of conducting nominations and 
elections in detail. 

All details in regard to meetings. 



Parliamentary Laiv. l^ 

The time when the new officers assume 
their duties. 

Proposal and election of members. Limita- 
tions of members regarding payment of dues 
and privilege of voting. 

The creation and duties of committees. 

Provision for filling vacancies in office. 

All changes from the common parliament- 
ary law not contained in the manual should 
be explicitly stated. 

Order of business. 

Adoption of a manual on parliamentary 
practice. 

Provisions for amendment. 

The by-laws should be placed out of the 
power of any one meeting to modify, by re- 
quiring previous notice of amendments. 

Many societies, in addition to the constitu- 
tion and by-laws, adopt standing rules which 
are binding on the society until repealed. 
Such rules can be adopted at any meeting by 
a majority vote, and at any future session 
can be amended or rescinded by the same vote. 
Of course, no standing rule or resolution is in 
order which conflicts with the constitution 
and by-laws. 

No article of the constitution should ever 
be suspended. A by-law cannot be suspended 
unless provision is made for suspension in the 
by-laws, which is sometimes done in case of 
the particular by-laws relating to the order of 



12 Practical Lessons in 

business. Provisions for suspension of the 
standing rules should be made, and when 
there is no such provision, the better course 
is to repeal the rule, as while rules exist they 
should be obeyed. 



Parliamentary Law. 15 



Chapter II. 

ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

In small societies, or in any organization in 
which the business is transacted by the soci- 
ety itself, the following order of business is 
suggested as suitable: 

1. Reading and approval of minutes of pre- 
vious meeting. 

2. Reports of standing committees. 

3. Reports of special committees. 

4. Unfinished business. 

5. Communications. 

6. New business. 

7. Adjournment. 

The following is the natural order of busi- 
ness in societies where the business is carried 
on by a board of directors, and meetings of 
the society are held for literary purposes: 

1. Reading and approval of minutes. 

2. Reports of special committees. 

3. Miscellaneous matters. 

4. Programme. 

5. Adjournment. 

The following is adapted to board meetings: 

1. Reading and approval of minutes. 

2. Report of treasurer. 

3. Roll call. 

4. Unfinished business. 

5. Reports and communications. 

6. New business. 



16 Practical Lessons in 

7. Miscellaneous matters. 

8. Adjournment. 

Sometimes the natural order is modified to 
admit special orders, often called orders of 
the day, which are placed next in order after 
approval of minutes, unless the order was as-- 
signed to a certain hour. Business thus as- 
signed must be called up by the presiding offi- 
cer at the time designated, and any business 
pending at that time must await the pleasure 
of the assembly. The special order may be 
disposed of, and the business interrupted, then 
resumed, or the assembly may vote to finish 
the pending business before considering the 
orders of the day. There is no arbitrary rule 
regarding this subject, each society having the 
power to adopt any order of business best 
suited to its character and needs. 

MEETINGS. 

Meetings are of two general kinds, regular 
and special. 

There are also adjourned regular and ad- 
journed special. 

An adjourned meeting is the legal continua- 
tion of the meeting which was adjourned. 

If a society desires to restrict business done 
at special meetings to that contained in the 
call, it must be so stipulated in the by-laws. 

A call specifying the business to be consid- 
ered should be copied in the minutes, and may 
be read at the opening of the meeting. 



Parliamentary Law. IT 

At a special meeting thus restricted, min- 
utes may be read for information, but not ap- 
proved, unless mentioned in the call. 

In permanent societies, having weekly or 
monthly meetings, each meeting constitutes a 
session, which may be extended by adjourning 
to a later hour or another day. 

A complementary meeting is an extra one 
for which the constitution has made no provi- 
sion. At a meeting of this nature, no busi- 
ness is in order, but any programme may be 
rendered. 



Parliamentary Law. 19 



Chapter III. 

DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 
The Chairman. 

The presiding officer occupies the most 
prominent position in any organization, and a 
good example is the most forcible argument 
he can use to influence the conduct of those 
he directs. Among the many qualifications of 
a good chairman, self-control is the most im- 
portant. Magnetism, tact, an attractive per- 
sonality, and even great executive ability may 
have weight for a time, but will not insure 
lasting respect. The man who is absolutely 
impartial in his rulings, regardless of personal 
feelings, is bound to be popular; the moment 
he permits friendship or any other considera- 
tion to influence his rulings, his usefulness 
will cease. A wise presiding officer will never 
use his knowledge of parliamentary law to 
further any project he favors in defiance of 
the evident "sense" of the assembly. The fol- 
lowing are the most important duties of a 
chairman : 

To call the meeting to order at the proper 
hour; to ascertain the presence of a quorum, 
and, if there is no prospect of one, to adjourn 
the meeting; to announce the business in its 
proper order, and enforce an orderly transac- 
tion of it; to state and put all questions prop- 



20 Practical Lessons in 

erly brought before the assembly and an- 
nounce the result of all votes; to maintain or- 
der and decide all questions of order, subject 
to an appeal; to stand when putting a ques- 
tion and when speaking to a point of order or 
appeal. In stating hi« rulings, or in referring 
to himself, if in the relation of chairman, he 
must say, "The chuir rules," etc. He should 
retain the respectful attention of the assembly 
for any member to whom he has given the 
floor. He should authenticate by his signa- 
ture all warrants and forms as required and in 
a general way stand for the organization, de- 
claring its will and in every instance obeying 
its rules. If necessary to leave before a meet- 
ing is finished, he may appoint a chairman, 
but the first adjournment ends the service of 
the person so appointed. When a chairman 
knows he will be absent at a future meeting, 
he has no right to authorize another to act in 
his place. A presiding officer will often find 
himself perplexed with difficulties, but it is 
well to heed the advice of a distinguished 
writer on parliamentary law, who says: "The 
great purpose of all rules and forms is to sub- 
serve the will of the assembly rather than re- 
strain it; to facilitate and not to obstruct the 
expression of their deliberate sense." 
The Secretary. 

In the absence of the president and vice- 
president, the secretary should call the meet- 
ing to order and ask for nominations for 



Parliamentary Law. 21 

cliairmaii pro tern. He should put the vote on 
nominations and declare the result. 

The secretary takes notes of all the proceed- 
ings during the meetings and submits a rec- 
ord of the same at the following meeting. 
This record must he signed by the person act- 
ing as secretary. The record is called the 
minutes, and should contain: 

Kind of meeting, regular, special, etc. 

Name of assembly. 

Place, hour, and date. 

Presence of the presiding officer; if absent, 
the substitute. 

Absence of the secretary, giving substitute. 

What action, if any, was taken on minutes 
of previous meeting. 

The above should be followed by all that is 
done which results in a parliamentary trans- 
action. Questions of order and the rulings 
thereon and questions of privilege should be 
recorded, and all rulings should be preserved 
as precedents. When the vote is by ballot or 
where there is a division, he should enter the 
number of votes on each side; when by yeas 
and nays, a list of names of those voting on 
each side, with the vote opposite the name. 
If the report of a committee is of great im- 
portance, the assembly should order it entered 
in full upon the record. When not so ordered, 
the secretary should endorse on report the 
date of its reception and what action was 
taken upon it and preserve among the records. 



22 Practical Lessons in 

always entering on the minutes a summary of 
the report. Resolutions should be entered in 
full as adopted. He should hand the names 
and all papers referred to any committee ap- 
pointed. A motion withdrawn without action 
upon it need not be recorded. 

He should prepare an order of business for 
the presiding officer. 

The secretary is the custodian of the con- 
tracts, minute books, reports and other papers, 
as well as the correspondence, if there be but 
one secretary. All official documents are open 
to the inspection of members. He should 
never criticise anything done in a meeting. 
The minutes should be written in ink, leaving 
a margin for corrections and marginal notes. 
When published, or when required by by- 
laws, the record should be signed by both sec- 
retary and president. 

If less than a quorum vote at an election, 
the secretary should state in the minutes that 
a quorum was present, as a question of the 
legality of the election might arise. 

Before adoption, minutes are corrected with- 
out motion, unless the assembly is divided re- 
garding the point in question. If, after adop- 
tion, errors are detected, they are corrected 
by a motion to amend the minutes. The of- 
fice of recording secretary is a very important 
one. The record is the transcript of what has 
been done, no matter how objectionable the 
action may have been, and the duty of the 
secretary is to state facts. The members may 



Parliamentary Law. 23 

annul by subsequent votes their previous ac- 
tion, but tbey cannot change such action by 
making the records tell an untruth. 

A motion to expunge the records of some 
previous action of the assembly is both im- 
moral and of no effect, unless such action were 
illegal. 

Only two officers are necessary for a parlia- 
mentary organization, one to preside and an- 
other to keep the records. Other officers may 
be chosen, whose duties are not prescribed by 
parliamentary law, but by the regulations of 
the assembly. 

In case of inability of the president, the 
vice-president becomes the acting president 
with all his powers; any other duties must be 
specially provided for. 

The treasurer has charge of the funds, but 
disburses the same as provided by the by- 
laws. 

The duties of the corresponding secretary 
should be clearly defined, as confusion often 
results as to the exact duties of the two secre- 
taries. An ordinary society is a democratic 
body, based upon the doctrine of the equality 
of one member with every other; it is the duty 
of the members to be just in their dealings 
with the society and each other, remembering 
that all enjoy the same privileges, but that ths 
rights of one leave off where the rights of an- 
other begin. 



Parliamentary Law. 25 



Chapter IT. 

MASS-MEETING. 

When a number of persons meet for a spe- 
cial purpose they become one body, subject to 
common parliamentary law, unless special 
rules as to certain methods are adopted. 

Some one interested in having the meeting 
calls it to order, and asks for nominations for 
chairman. Chairman being elected, announ- 
ces the first business is the election of a secre- 
tary, etc. The chair then states the object of 
the meeting, if this has not been done by the 
one calling the meeting to order, and asks the 
pleasure of the meeting. Proceedings follow 
in accordance with the object of the meeting. 
Usually, someone offers a series of resolu- 
tions previously prepared, or else moves the 
appointment of a committee to prepare resolu- 
tions expressive of the sense of the meeting. 
After the resolutions are read, someone moves 
their adoption. They may then be debated, 
amended, etc. When the purpose for which 
the meeting was called is accomplished, the 
meeting adjourns sine die. 

PERMANENT SOCIETY. 

When it is desired to organize a permanent 
society, a meeting is called and a temporary 
organization is effected in a manner similar 
to that of a mass-meeting. Following pre- 



26 Practical Lessons in 

liminary discussion, should that be desired, is 
the consideration of a draft of a constitution 
and by-laws. This may be offered by mem- 
bers provided with a draft, or it may be pre- 
sented hy a committee then and there created 
for the purpose. This committee may report 
at the same meeting, if practicable, or at a 
subsequent one. 

ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION. 

When the draft is presented, a motion is 
made to adopt, which is seconded and stated. 
The chairman then directs the secretary to 
read the first article, and asks if there are any 
amendments; each article is then taken up, 
considered, and perfected, then the entire 
draft re-read as amended, and its considera- 
tion and amendment as a whole follows. 
When finally perfected to the satisfaction of 
the body, the original motion to adopt is put 
and voted upon. It is an error to adopt 
seriatim; the proper course is to consider 
seriatim and adopt as a whole. 

When the constitution is adopted, chair 
states that those wishing to become members 
sign the constitution, if this is required; a 
motion to take a recess for this purpose is now 
in order. The constitution having been 
signed, no one is permitted to vote except 
those who have signed. 

Next is the adoption of the by-laws, which 
are treated like the constitution. 



Parliamentary Law. 27 

The next thing is the election of permanent 
officers of the society. This may be done by 
appointment of a committee to nominate per- 
manent officers, or the permanent organiza- 
tion may be made by vote of the assembly 
declaring the temporary organization perma- 
nent, or the assembly may proceed to the 
selection of other officers by nomination and 
election, or by resolution. 



Parliamentary Law. 29 

Chapter Y. 

INTRODUCTION OP BUSINESS. 

All business is brought before the assembly 
by motion. 

Before making a motion, it is necessary to 
rise, address the chair, and receive recogni- 
tion; this is called "obtaining the floor." 

When communications or resolutions are 
read to an assembly, they are not before the 
house until introduced by a motion. 

The chair has the right to request motions 
to fee presented in writing, if not brief enough 
to be readily taken down by, the secretary. 

Motions must be seconded. 

"Any member can second any motion from 
his seat without rising or addressing the 
chair." (Robert.) 

In large meetings it is better for the member 
to rise and address the chair before second- 
ing, as "Mr. Chairman, I second the motion." 

Chair has the right to refuse to put a motion 
without a second. When chair assumes a sec- 
ond, objections must be made at once, as si- 
lence gives consent to the action of the chair. 

When the motion is made, seconded, and 
stated by the chair, it belongs to the assembly. 
Before statement, it belongs to the mover, and 
may be withdrawn or modified; after state- 
ment, the mover can do neither without the 
consent of the assembly. When the mover 



30 Practical Lessons in 

modifies his motion, the seconder may with- 
draw his second. 

A proposition presented by a member is 
called a motion; after statement by the chair, 
it becomes "the question before the house." 
When the chair repeats for final action, it is 
termed "putting the question." 

After the statement of a debatable motion, 
the chair should say, "Are there any re- 
marks ?" After an undebatable one, "Are you 
ready for the question?" to give opportunity 
for points of order, etc. 



Parliamentary Law. 33 

Clmpter YI. 

DEBATE AND DECORUM. 

A member has no right to speak to his 
motion before it is made and stated, for the 
reasons: there is no question for discussion; 
when made, it may not be in order, or debata- 
ble, or the assembly may choose to table or 
order an immediate vote. This restriction is 
sometimes relaxed by parliamentary courtesy. 

The member who made the motion or pre- 
sented the resolutions is entitled to the floor 
first; also the chairman of a committee on 
resolutions should be accorded the first oppor- 
tunity of debate. 

It is customary to allow the member who 
introduced the motion or report to close the 
discussion. 

No member who has had the floor is entitled 
to it again during the discussion of the same 
question, should the floor be claimed by one 
who has not spoken to that question. 

When the chair is in doubt as to who is en- 
titled to the floor, the assembly may decide by 
a vote. It is courteous to vote first on the 
member whom the chair decided to be entitled 
to the fioor. 

When a society desires to restrict discussion, 
a special rule should be adopted or a motion 
passed limiting the discussion of some partic- 
ular question when it comes before the house. 



34 Practical Lessons in 

All remarks must be addressed to the chair 
and confined to the question before the assem- 
bly, avoiding all personalities. Always refer 
to the officers by their official titles, and to 
the members as "the member on my right," 
etc. 

When called to order, the member must sit 
until the question of order is decided. 

When a speaker yields the floor temporarily 
by request, he does not lose his right to fin- 
ish his speech, if he yields with the chair's 
cognizance. 

It is not allowable to call in question the 
motives of a member, but the results of any 
measure may be condemned in emphatic 
terms. 

The calling of "Question, question" is dis- 
orderly, and should not be encouraged. More- 
over, nothing is gained, as .when the chair 
says, "Are you ready for the question?" and 
meets with no response, he immediately puts 
the question. 

Parliamentary inquiries are answered by the 
chair. Pertinent questions are answered by 
the chair, or by a member at the chair's re- 
quest; but this is not debate. 



rariiamentary Law. 37 

Chapter YII. 

CLASSIFICATION OP MOTIONS. 

Motions are, main, privileged-main^ subsid- 
iary, and incidental. 

A main motion is a primary proposition. 

No main motion can be made when any 
other proposition is before the assembly; but 
one main motion can be entertained at a time, 

A resolution is a formal motion, and is sub- 
ject to the same laws and limitations; when 
expedient, a motion or resolution may be pre- 
sented in the negative. 

A privileged-main is a primary proposition 
having preference over all other propositions, 
because of the urgency of its nature. 

A subsidiary motion is a proposition relat- 
ing to another motion. 

An incidental motion is one arising in con- 
nection with other motions, and is disposed of 
before the motion which gave rise to it. 



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Parliamentary Laiv. 39 

EXPLANATION OF CHART. 

After business has been introduced by a 
main motion, it may be desired to defeat, 
amend, or delay such question; and for this 
purpose subsidiary motions are employed in 
the order shown on the chart. 

However, any motion of a higher rank may 
be made, even if no intervening motions are 
pending. To illustrate: The motion to table 
would be in order immediately after the main 
motion has been stated. Also it would be in 
order if the motions to amend, to delay, and 
the previous question were pending; in the lat- 
ter case, if "tabling*' were lost, the question 
before the house would be "the previous ques- 
tion." If tabling were carried, the main mo- 
tion and amendments, if any, would be tabled 
and the intervening motions would be ren- 
dered nugatory. 

Privileged-main motions are higher in rank, 
as indicated. 

As the chart shows, incidental motions may 
be introduced at any time. They have no pre- 
cedence over each other, except points of or- 
der and appeals, which are the highest. All 
incidentals must be decided before the ques- 
tions which gave rise to them. 

An incidental may be superseded by a priv- 
ileged-main motion; on the other hand, an in- 
cidental may grow out of a privileged-main, 
and must be decided before the question which 
gave rise to it; a, signifies amendable; d, de- 
batable; I. d., limited debate. 



Parliamentary Law. 41 

Chapter YIII. 

SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS. 
Motions Which Defeat. 

1. Objection to the consideration of a 
question. 

2. Indefinite postponement. 

Ohjection to Consideration. 

The first must be moved and put, if at all, 
immediately after the statement of the main 
motion. It does not require a second, and 
cannot be debated or amended; does not re- 
quire recognition. 

Form of Statement: The question of consid- 
eration is raised; shall the question be dis- 
cussed? If decided in the negative, the ques- 
tion is dismissed for that session. 

The object of this motion is to immediately 
dispose of any motion the assembly may deem 
puerile, contentious, or irrelevant. 
Indefinite Postpc^nement. 

Its form is, "I move that the question be in- 
definitely postponed." 

Its effect, when carried, is to remove the 
question from before the assembly for that 
session. 

It is debatable, and opens the main question 
to debate. 

It can be applied to a main motion, and one 
growing out of a question of privilege. 

This motion is often used to try the strength 



42 Practical Lessons in 

of the opposition, or to kill a measure without 
waiting for a direct vote. 

Amendments. 

The legitimate use of a motion "to amend" 
is to perfect; the abuse is to render the motion 
defective or absurd with a view to its defeat. 

An amendment may be by addition, elimi- 
nation, or substitution. 

By addition, to add or insert certain words 
or paragraphs. 

By elimination, to strike out certain words 
or paragraphs. 

By substitution, to substitute words for par- 
agraphs, or a new proposition on the same 
subject for the one pending. 

An amendment to the motion is a primary 
amendment. 

An amendment to the amendment is a sec- 
ondary amendment. 

An amendment to the motion and an amend- 
ment to the amendment may be entertained 
at the same time. 

The secondary amendment must be ger- 
mane to the primary amendment, and not to 
the main motion; primary amendment must 
be germane to the main motion. "An amend- 
ment may be inconsistent with one already 
adopted, o" may di ec ly confli3t wi:h the spir- 
it of the original motion, but it must have a 
direct bearing on the subject of that motion." 
(Robert.) 

No motion or proposition on a subject dif- 



Parliamentary Law. 43 

ferent from tliat under consideration shall be 
admitted under color of an amendment. (H. 
of R., xvi. 7.) 

An amendment which has no other affect 
than to give a motion a negative form is out 
of order. 

If the mover of a motion is permitted to ac- 
cept an amendment, no voting on amendment 
is necessary, but it is not courteous to ask 
the mover to accept. 

A substitute is always an amendment, and 
must be treated as such. A substitute cannot 
be moved as an equivalent to a motion and its 
amendments, except provided for by special 
rule. 

When a member desires to move an amend- 
ment that is not in order at the time, he can 
state his intention of offering his amendment, 
if the pending amendment is voted down. 
(Crocker and Robert.) 

When an assembly has voted to amend in 
a certain way, it is not in order to offer an- 
other motion involving the same question as 
the one just decided. 

Before adoption, minutes are corrected with- 
out motion, unless the assembly is divided on 
the question; when errors are discovered after 
adoption, they are corrected by a motion to 
amend. 

The motions to amend and indefinitely post- 
pone are the same in rank, and cannot be 
pending at the same time — first made, first 
put. 



44 Practical Lessons in 

It requires three votes to carry or lose a 
motion and two amendments. The question 
is first on the secondary amendment, then it 
recurs on the primary amendment as amend- 
ed or not; then on the motion as amended or 
not; each amendment and the main motion is 
debatable, unless debate has been cut off by 
motion for that purpose. 

A substitute amendment is a primary 
amendment, and may have a secondary 
amendment; the first vote, if carried, per- 
fects the substitute, the second vote substi- 
tutes it for the original motion, and the third 
vote adopts it. 

An amendment to the constitution or by- 
laws is subject to a secondary amendment 
without previous notice. 

MOTIONS WHICH DELAY. 

1. To refer to a committee. 

2. To postpone to a certain time. 

3. To table. 

To Refer to a Committee. 

"To refer to a committee" can be amended 
by specifying the number of the committee, 
how it shall be appointed, or substituting one 
standing committee for another, or by giving 
it instructions. 

It is debatable, and opens to debate the 
original question, if that has not been fully 
discussed. 

When the chair appoints, he names the 



Parliamentary Law. 45 

committee, and no vote is taken; when nomi- 
nated from the floor, no member nominates 
more than one, except by general consent. 
All nominees are voted on together, unless 
there are more than the number of the com- 
mittee, when they should be voted on simul- 
taneously, to insure fairness. 

When the assembly has not elected the 
chairman, the first person named is such by 
courtesy, unless the committee elect another. 

It is in order to make the mover of the mo- 
tion to commit chairman of the committee, 
when the committee is appointed by the chair. 

A committee may be elected by a motion 
containing the names desired, which is sub- 
ject to amendment. 

In most assemblies the presiding officer ap- 
points the committees, but the power to do 
this is given in the by-laws, or by a motion 
duly passed. 

When the power of appointing the commit- 
tee is given the presiding officer, he may ap- 
point at once or may say that the committee 
will be appointed later. If the appointment 
is not made until after the close of the ses- 
sion, the chairman should give the names of 
the committee to the secretary to be recorded 
in the minutes. 

To Postpone to a Certain Time. 
This motion can be amended by altering the 
time. Debate is limited to the propriety of 
postponement. 



46 Practical Lessons in 

Pending amendments are sent forward with 
their principal, and come before the house at 
the proper time, the same as if not postponed. 

Questions are sometimes postponed to a cer- 
tain time, and made a special order. This 
last motion is used principally in legislative 
bodies. Usually postponed business comes up 
as unfinished business at the next meeting. 

To Table. 

This motion cannot be debated or amended. 
Its effect, when carried, is to remove the ques- 
tion from before the assembly until it votes to 
take it up again by a motion to take from the 
table, stating the question, "To take from the 
table" has no privileges — i. e., it can be made 
only when there is nothing before the house, 
and after intervening business, or at another 
session. If a motion with pending amend- 
ments be tabled, the amendments go with the 
motion, and vice versa. This moJ:ion may be 
applied to main motions or their amend- 
ments; appeals, reconsideration, and motions 
growing out of questions of privilege. 

Tabling an amendment to the minutes de- 
feats it, but does not table the minutes. 
While this motion is classed as dilatory, it is 
used very effectually to defeat measures. 

The Previous Question. 

This motion is employed for the purpose of 
ordering an immediate vote on a pending 
question or questions. It can be applied to 



Parliamentary Law. 47 

all debatable questions, and is, of course, un- 
debatable. When a call for the previous ques- 
tion is seconded, the chair says: "Shall the 
main question now be put?" If carried, the 
main question is said to be ordered; debate, 
the making of further subsidiaries, except 
tabling, is cut off, and the assembly is 
brought to vote. 

The motion for the previous question may 
be limited to a pending amendment, but, if 
not limited when moved, applies to the whole 
series of motions which may be pending. 

All motions and appeals arising after the 
main question has been ordered are decided 
without debate. 



Parliamentary Law. 49 



Chapter IX. 

PRIVILEGED MOTIONS. 

Questions of Privilege. 

Questions of privilege usually relate to the 
order or comfort of the assembly, and are 
usually decided informally. 

When such a question requires immediate 
attention, it may interrupt a member. The 
form is, "I rise to a question of privilege," 
Chair replies, "State your question." Chair 
then decides whether it is a question of privi- 
lege or not. A question of privilege affecting 
the body is more highly privileged than one 
affecting a member, and when the two com- 
pete, the former is disposed of first. 

When a motion grows out of a question of 
privilege, it is treated the same as any other 
main motion. 

To Take a Rec&ss. 

When a session consists of two or more 
meetings, the time of resuming having been 
fixed, this motion is privileged and cannot be 
debated or amended, and is equivalent to the 
motion to adjourn. 

In sessions consisting of one meeting, "to 
take a recese," if made while other business is 
pending, can be amended as to time; if made 
when there is nothing before the house, is a 
main motion. 



50 Practical Lessons in 

To Adjourn. 

This motion is not in order when a mem- 
ber has the floor, or during the progress of 
voting. It can be renewed, if there has been 
intervening business, or even debate. It is 
undebatable; When qualified in any way, it 
loses its privileged character. When adjourn- 
ment does not close the session, the business 
interrupted is first in order, after reading and 
approval of minutes. 

When adjournment closes the session which 
meets once a year, or when the session ends 
the term of a portion of the members, all un- 
finished business is introduced to the succeed- 
ing body as new business. 

The chairman may adjourn a meeting un- 
der the following necessities: When a quo- 
rum is hopeless, or when nearly all have dis- 
persed except chairman and secretary, or 
when there is confusion rendering delibera- 
tion impossible. 

When a meeting is thus adjourned, the chair 
should cause the secretary to enter the reaFions 
for his order of adjournment in the journal. 
By general consent, urgent business may be 
transacted after the motion to adjourn has 
been put, and before adjournment is declared. 



Parliamentary La.>. 53 



Chapter X. 

INCIDENTAL MOTIONS. 

Points of Order. 

It is the duty of tlie presiding officer to 
maintain order, and rule everything out of or- 
der that is not correct. If he fails to do this, 
any member should rise at once to a point of 
order, and state the error. Chair replies, 
"Chair deems the point well taken," or "not 
well taken," as the case may be. (This decla- 
ration of the chair is called the "ruling.") 
Member need not obtain the floor to make a 
point of order. 

The chair may decide immediately upon a 
point of order, or may indulge in debate at his 
pleasure, or ask advice of members before 
ruling. A motion cannot be ruled out of order 
after it has been entertained and debated, but 
it may be withdrawn. If, after adoption, a 
motion is discovered to ba unparliamentary, 
it should be reconsidered and withdrawn, or 
voted down. The chair should not rule a per- 
son out of order, unless disorderly, but should 
rule the motion out of order. If the point of 
order relates to words spoken in debate, these 
words are taken down by the secretary, when 
the objection to them is raised. 

No motion is in order which conflicts with 
the constitution, by-laws, standing rules, or 
resolutions of an assembly. 



54 Practical Lessons in 

If a point of order upon a point of order is 
raised, the second is decided first, and to avoid 
complications, is not debatable, nor subject to 
appeal. 

If the chair neglects to bring before the 
house delayed business at the proper time, a 
member may "rise to a point of order," or call 
for the "orders of the day." 

App€4ils. 

If a member objects to the decision of the 
chair, he says, "I appeal from the decision of 
the chair." If the appeal is seconded, the 
chair must immediately state the question as 
follows: "The decision of the chair has been 
appealed from; shall the decision of the chair 
be sustained?" (If the chair thinks proper, 
he may state the reasons for his decision 
without leaving the chair.) 

An appeal can be made only at the time of 
the decision of the chair. 

An appeal cannot be amended, but can be 
debated, except when it relates to indecorum, 
transgression of the rules of debate, or if made 
while the previous question is pending, or 
after the main question is ordered, or while 
an undebatable question is pending. 

A member can speak but once on an appeal 
without the consent of the assembly. 

If an appeal is debatable, then the previous 
question may be applied to it. 



Parliamentary Law. 55 

An appeal i-s not in. order when another ap- 
peal is pending. 

On a tie vote, the decision of the chair is 
sustained; also when an appeal is tabled. 

An appeal may be reconsidered, unless the 
measure which gave rise to the appeal has 
been disposed of pursuant to the decision. 

All rulings of the chair are subject to 
appeal. 

The right of appeal is indispensable to the 
free action of all assemblies, and is based on 
the principle that the chair is the first court, 
and the body supreme; hence final authority 
rests with the body. 

For the Reading of Papers. 

This motion is for the reading of papers 
relating to the matter under consideration. 
When a member asks to read an article bear- 
ing on *the question before the house, the 
chairman says, "If there is no objection, we 
will listen to the paper." Should any objec- 
tion arise, a vote is taken. 

A paper itself under consideration should 
be read as often as necessary to acquaint the 
members with the contents before voting on it. 
Withdrawal of Motions. 

Before statement by the chair, the mover 
may withdraw at will. After statement, if 
any objection is made, it is necessary to ob- 
tain leave to withdraw. 

If a motion having pending amendments is 
withdrawn, the amendments are also with- 



56 Practical Lessons in 

drawn, but an amendment may be withdrawn 
without withdrawing the motion. 

An amended motion cannot be withdrawn. 

When vote has been ordered on a motion, 
it cannot be withdrawn. 

To Close Nominations. 

This motion is not in order until every 
member has had an opportunity to make a 
nomination, "It is not in the power of the 
majority to debar a member of this privilege, 
when nominations are in order." (Waples.) 
Dicisim of a Question. 

When a motion is susceptible of division in- 
to two or more substantive propositions, it is 
in order for a member to move that the ques- 
tion be divided, stating exactly the manner 
of division desired. When division has been 
ordered, all but the first proposition must 
stand in abeyance. 

When that has been disposed of, the remain- 
ing are treated in like manner. Amendable. 
Methods of Consideration. 

These motions can only be made in the 
absence of special rules and apply only to the 
question under consideration. Examples: "I 
move that the debate be closed in thirty 
minutes;" "I move that the vote be taken by 
ballot," etc. Amendable. 

Suspension of Rules. 

The form is, "I move to suspend the rule 
which interferes with," etc., specifying the 



Parliamentary Law. 57 

object of the suspension. Constitution can 
never be suspended. A by-law relating to the 
transaction of business may be suspended, but 
should be so specified in the by-laws. 

No rule based upon established parliament- 
ary principles should ever be suspended. 

Standing rules may be suspended, if such 
provision is made in the rules. 

It is impossible to anticipate all incidental 
motions which may arise, but they may be 
readily recognized. 



Parliamentary Law. ' 59 



Chapter XI. 

TO RECONSIDER. 

This motion is employed to repeal a vote 
that a question may be again under consider- , 
ation. If carried, the question to which it re- 
lates is before the house in the condition it 
was just previous to its decision. 

Reconsideration must be moved by one who 
voted on the prevailing side, except when the 
vote was by ballot. In absence of a special 
rule, reconsideration must be moved on the 
day the vote to be repealed was taken, or the 
next day in case of session of more than one 
meeting. 

Reconsideration may be moved and entered 
on the minutes for future action, while an- 
other has the floor; but the suspensive effect 
is not beyond the session or beyond the next 
sitting of weekly or monthly meetings. 

Reconsideration is in order after a vote is 
taken, with or without intervening business; 
it yields to privileged and incidental motions. 

The motion to reconsider is debatable, if the 
motion to be reconsidered is such, and opens 
the latter to debate. 

No vote can be reconsidered without repeal- 
ing in reverse order all previous votes which 
affect the question to be reconsidered; this 
refers to a motion and its amendments. 
When the previous question is in force, any 



60 Practical Lessons in 

vote taken under it can be reconsidered, sub- 
ject to the previous question — i. e., without 
amendment or debate. 

After the effect of the previous question is 
exhausted, votes previously taken under it 
may be reconsidered and treated the same as 
if the previous question had not been in force. 

A motion to "reconsider" may be tabled 
without tabling the motion to be reconsidered. 

MOTIONS WHICH CANNOT BE 
RECONSIDERED. 

Adjourn. 

Previous question, if partly or wholly car- 
ried into effect. 

To reconsider. 

Affirmative vote, to table and to take from 
the table. 

Suspend rules. 

A vote as a result of which something has 
been done which the assembly cannot reverse. 
TO REPEAL. 

When an assembly wishes to annul some 
previous action, and the time limit allowing 
reconsideration has passed, a motion to repeal 
the undesirable action is in order. 

Incomplete motions are treated as follows: 
Any number of members may propose, without 
a second, different numbers or names for fill- 
ing a blank; names are voted on simulta- 
neously, and numbers from the smallest to the 
greatest, or vice versa, if the sense requires it. 
always voting first on the number least likely 
to command a majority. 



Parliamentary Law. 63 



Chapter XII. 

THE COMMITTEE AND ITS REPORT. 

Organizations of all kinds do a large pro- 
portion of their business through the agen- 
cy of committees. There are two general 
classes: standing committees, holding office 
usually a year, or during the pleasure of the 
organization; and select committees appointed 
for some temporary purpose. 

A majority of a committee constitutes a 
quorum, unless the assembly otherwise direct. 

Motions may be dispensed with in small 
committees, but a vote should be taken, so as 
to know what has been decided. All action 
of a committee should be taken at a meeting 
duly called, or where all the members are 
present. The consent of all individually with- 
out a meeting will not render valid any action. 
The duty of the chairman of the committee is 
to call all meetings, to preside over them, to 
make all reports to the assembly unless the 
committee otherwise orders. 

The report should be signed by every mem- 
ber who concurs. 

The assembly has the power to order a re- 
port or to take back business that has been 
committed at any time. In the absence of in- 
structions, the report should be within a rea- 
sonable time. Sometimes an assembly is not 
willing to hear the report at the time desig- 



64 Practical Lessons in 

nated and may by motion decline to do so. 
After the reading of the report, the assembly 
has received it and is in a position to act upon 
it. When the report is received, tha committee 
is thereby dissolved. When a pending motion 
has been referred to a committee, it is, upon 
the report of the committee, before the house 
in the form it existed when referred. If, when 
the reference was made, there were pending 
amendments, these are first in order, subject 
to the same laws as though there had been no 
commitment. When the pending amendments 
are disposed of, any amendments or recom- 
mendations suggested by the committee may 
then by motion be brought before the assem- 
bly. It is never in order to move the adop- , 
tion of a report upon a pending motion, as the 
report is always advisory, and, while it may 
influence votes, the question is always on the 
pending motion; or, if there were no pending 
amendments referred, it may be first on an 
amendment offered by a member of the com- 
mittee or assembly, and then on the pending 
motion. When a defective resolution is re- 
ferred for the purpose of having it revised, the 
resolution thus reported back by the commit- 
tee may on motion be substituted for the mat- 
ter referred, and stand in the relation of a 
resolution originally introduced. 

When a committee is created through the 
agency of a main motion, as "I move that 
a committee be appointed," etc., its report 



Parliamentary Laiv. 65 

€omes before the house, by a motion to accept, 
approve, or adopt, according to its nature. 

If the report consists of a statement of facts, 
the motion should be to accept; if of work 
done, to approve; if a recommendation for ac- 
tion or resolutions, to adopt. Business re- 
ported by a standing committee is original 
business, and subject to action the same as if 
introduced by an individual. A committee 
may report as follows: "Your committee to 

which was referred respectfully submit 

the following." Or: "Your committee which 
was appointed to respectfully," etc. 

MINORITY REPORT. 

It is customary to receive the minority re- 
port immediately after receiving the report of 
the committee, but it cannot be acted upon 
unless a motion is made to substitute it for 
the report of the committee. The form is, 
"The undersigned, a minority of the commit- 
tee to which was referred," etc. 

Minority report in a matter referred is not 
essential, as the report is only advisory, ac- 
tion being on the question referred. 

Tabling the question on substituting the 
minority report for the report of the commit- 
tee tables the report of the committee also, as 
the minority report is an amendment. 

Committee of the whole is the assembly it- 
self resolved into a general committee. The 
presiding officer appoints a chairman, and sits 
as a member of the committee; an informal 



66 Practical Lessons in 

discussion of the pending question or resolu- 
tion follows. When the committee has fin- 
ished its deliberations, it rises, the presiding 
oflEicer takes the chair, and the chairman of 
the committee reports to the assembly. This 
report usually consists of recommendations 
which may be adopted by the assembly. Com- 
mittee of the whole is for debate, free from 
restrictive measures, not practical for non- 
partisan bodies. A quorum of committee of 
the whole is the same as that of the assembly. 



Parliamentary Laiv. 69 

Chapter XIII. 

NOMINATIONS. 

Nominations are suggestions, and do not re- 
quire a second. Members may vote for those 
not nominated, unless special rule otherwise. 
Nominations are from the floor, unless other- 
wise provided; until nominations are closed, 
each member has a right to present a nomi- 
nee and to withdraw his name and present 
another. 

The report of a nominating committee is 
simply advisory, unless the rule or motion 
states that the officers are to be selected from 
the ticket or tickets presented by the com- 
mittee. 

An informal or nominating ballot is a secret 
method of nominating. Some courts hold 
that if an informal ballot results in a choice, 
it is an election. This is unsound. 

Chair announces an election by ballot as 

follows: "Whole number of votes cast, ; 

number necessary to an election, ; Mr. A 

received , Mr. B , Mr. C ; Mr. A, 

having received the required number, is 
elected." 

An election takes effect immediately, unless 
there is a rule to the contrary. 
VOTING. 

There are five methods of voting: 

1. By silent assent; used in adopting min- 
utes and routine motions. 



70 Practical Lessons in 

2. By voices. 

3. By showing hands. 

4. Yeas and nays; the secretary calls the 
roll; the members, previously directed by the 
chair, answer "yes" or "no." 

5. By ballot. This method is used only 
w^here required by the constitution or by-laws, 
or where the assembly has ordered the vote to 
be so taken. 

The chair, if uncertain, may order a "divi- 
sion," or any member may call for it, in case 
of doubt, provided he call at once, before busi- 
ness has intervened; sometimes both sides 
vote at once, by separating to different sides 
of the room, if that is the method desired; 
tellers may be appointed by the chair to assist 
in the count. 

When so required, a vote should be taken by 
ballot, enabling every member to cast a secret 
vote; hence ordering the secretary to cast the 
ballot is simply electing by a viva-voce vote, 
and is not legal, for if any member objects, 
the secrecy is destroyed. 

Assuming that an election is unanimous be- 
cause a motion to that effect is passed is dis- 
honest if there be one dissenting voice. 

The fact that illegal votes were cast will not 
invalidate an election unless it is shown that 
they were sufficient to change the result. 
Unanimous consent cannot cure proceedings 
tainted with fraud. 

A majority is more than one-half, ignoring 
blanks. 



Parliamentary Law. 71 

A plurality is the largest of several, and 
never elects except by a special rule previous- 
ly adopted. 

On a tie vote, tlie motion is lost, except in 
appeals. 

Both afl&rmative and negative vote should 
always be taken. No member should vote on 
any question where his private interest is 
concerned, distinct from the interest of the 
society. 

It is not compulsory for a presiding officer 
of a society to give the casting vote in case of 
a tie. He may do so, if a member, and if he 
did not vote when the question was put by 
him. He cannot vote twice, as a matter of 
course. When there is a special rule requir- 
ing all the members to vote, the chair should 
do so with the rest; where there is not, he 
may vote in case of a tie, or before. 

"Acclamation" means by "a shout," and is 
not a parliamentary term. Voting by proxy 
is not legal except in case of stockholders of 
corporations, unless the by-laws so provide. 

In the absence of any special rule modifying 
the common parliamentary law, a majority of 
members constitutes a quorum. No business 
can be transacted unless a quorum is present. 

"General consent" means unanimous con- 
sent. 

l^ote. — In this manual, the common-law 
principle that the majority shall rule is ob- 
served. 



72 Practical Lessons in 

Should a society adopting this manual de- 
sire a two-thirds requirement on certain mo- 
tions, it must adopt a special rule to that 
effect. 

It is unwise to require a two-thirds vote to 
amend the constitution or by-laws; a bare 
majority should be able to control the rules 
of an assembly. 



Parliamentary Law. 75 

Chapter XIY. 

DELEGATED CONVENTION. 

A delegated convention is a representative 
body, while those we have been considering 
are purely democratic. In case the conven- 
tion is that of a permanent society, it is called 
to order by the president of the organization, 
who presides until his successor is elected. 
The chairman of the credentials committee is 
usually appointed by the executive board some 
weeks before the date of the convention, and 
from the place where the meeting is to be 
held. Other members of this committee may 
be selected hj the chairman of the committee, 
or be appointed in the same manner as above. 
The committee on credentials should report 
as soon as possible. If there are any con- 
tested seats, they are first presented to the 
committee and may be carried to the conven- 
tion by the committee for final decision; 
usually the report of the committee is 
adopted. 

Up to this time the assembly has been mere- 
ly a preliminary mass meeting, but upon the 
adoption of the report of the credentials com- 
mittee the delegated convention begins its ex- 
istence. Committees on rules of order and 
resolutions are appointed, and the convention 
then proceeds with the business as outlined 



76 Practical Lessons in 

in the programme, and in accordance with 
the constitution. 

When the convention is not that of a per- 
manent society, it is called to order by the 
chairman of the committee having it in 
charge, who usually names the temporary 
chairman and secretary. The first thing is the 
appointment of committees on credentials, 
permanent organization, and resolutions. 
For this purpose a recess is taken to enable 
the delegations to select their candidates for 
committeemen, which is usually done by bal- 
lot. "When the convention is re-assembled^ 
the secretary calls the roll of clubs, districts, 
or states, the chairman of each delegation re- 
plying by announcing the names of those 
chosen for the respective committees. 

After the adoption of the report of the cre- 
dentials committee, which should occur as 
soon as practicable, action follows on the re- 
port of the committee on permanent organi- 
zation, and the convention is then ready for 
the business for which it convened. The res- 
olutions reported by that committee are con- 
sidered, and, if it be a political convention, 
candidates are nominated. 

When the business of the convention has 
been finished, it adjourns s\m/e die. 



fe20 OCT 15 WOOi 



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